To mark the occasion, Premiere Radio Networks, the long-time producer and syndicator of Kasem's radio shows, will celebrate with a special Valentine's edition of its syndicated broadcast, American Top 10, currently heard on more than 100 stations (Adult Contemporary format) in the United States and Canada. The show will air just prior to Valentine's Day during the weekend of February 9-11. Some of the cities where listeners can tune in include New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Washington DC, Houston, Detroit, Seattle, Cleveland, Nashville and Milwaukee. (A complete list of stations, markets and broadcast times for the special are available here).

In addition to the show's weekly countdown of the Top 10 Adult Contemporary songs, the "Spotlight" segment, which focuses on a different theme each week, will feature 10 songs from the new CD. Kasem will read and play song requests from three new Long Distance Dedications and will recap highlights from nearly 30 years of LDD history. This is the first time that Kasem will broadcast a special radio show built around The Long Distance Dedications, his signature and widely recognized feature.

"These wonderful songs represent some of the most requested tracks from the nearly 30-year history of The Long Distance Dedications," Kasem says. "We have received thousands of letters over the years, and the stories behind the requests are as varied and interesting as the people who write in. It is always an enjoyable and touching segment of the show, and I am happy that it has been such a popular feature over the years."

"We are extremely proud of the release of The Long Distance Dedications CD", says Chuck Gullo, President/CEO of Top Sail Productions. "The importance of The Long Distance Dedications to Casey's show and to Casey himself, as well as what they mean to millions of fans who have tuned in to Casey's broadcasts through the years, make this a significant addition to the Casey Kasem CD series. We were able to include some of the biggest names in music not only because their songs were some of the most requested dedications, but because the artists themselves were more than willing to be a part of such a special release."

More than 3,700 letters have been read on the air since The Long Distance Dedications officially began during the weekend of August 16, 1978, when Kasem honored a young man's request to play Neil Diamond's "Desiree" on American Top 40. "Maybe my Desiree, in Germany, will hear it--and know it's for her," the letter read.

Letters from all over the world continue to fill the mail bins at Kasem's current shows, American Top 10 and American Top 20 with heartfelt dedications to loved ones, friends, celebrities, heroes, pets, and even cherished toys.

It all started back in 1964 when Kasem received a letter from 12-year-old Elaina Tribble, who was anxious to share her recent experience of meeting and getting a hug from George Harrison after The Beatles performed at San Francisco's Cow Palace. Casey, now a DJ at KRLA in Los Angeles, was greatly moved by the letter and read it on air over the instrumental version of "And I Love Her." The combination struck an immediate chord with listeners who lit up the station's phone lines with requests to hear the letter again. Casey continued to read dedication letters in a program segment called "The Sweetheart Tree."

The Long Distance Dedications segment caught on quickly with listeners and remains a highlight of his current weekly shows American Top 10 with Casey Kasem (AC) and American Top 20 with Casey Kasem (Hot AC). Kasem's Long Distance Dedications have touched millions of listeners through the years and have become as much a part of our popular culture as the instantly recognizable voice of the man who reads the letters that begin with, "Dear Casey..."

The Long Distance Dedications is the 24th CD release in the highly successful Casey Kasem Presents series. The CDs contain all Top 10 hits, covering music representing every decade from the '50s through the '90s. The series features genre and theme-specific CDs as well, including hits from doo-wop, folk, singer-songwriters, classic rock, pop, new wave, the Motown years, and many more. All of the titles are available online at http://www.americastoptenhits.com.